Blessing of the Animals

By Photos by Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

on March 23, 2013 6:20 PM

Photo: Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

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Rev. Diane McGehee offers a blessing during the annual Blessing of the Animals at Bellaire United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 23, 2013. The dog, named Godiva, is part of the church's Faithful Paws pet therapy program which visits adults and children in nursing homes and hospitals. less

Rev. Diane McGehee offers a blessing during the annual Blessing of the Animals at Bellaire United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 23, 2013. The dog, named Godiva, is part of the church's Faithful Paws pet ... more

Candy Bywaters brings six of her dogs to the annual Blessing of the Animals at Bellaire United Methodist Church. "It's like the Iditarod," Bywaters joked of her group of dogs, "if the battery on my wheelchair goes out, I'm good to go." Bywaters owns 32 dogs, most of them, like the six she brought for the blessing, are therapy animals she uses in her work with Faithful Paws. less

Candy Bywaters brings six of her dogs to the annual Blessing of the Animals at Bellaire United Methodist Church. "It's like the Iditarod," Bywaters joked of her group of dogs, "if the battery on my wheelchair ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

Candy Bywaters brings six of her dogs to the annual Blessing of... Photo-4368381.58965 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Dogs and their owners wait for services to begin during the annual Blessing of the Animals at Bellaire United Methodist Church.

Dogs and their owners wait for services to begin during the annual Blessing of the Animals at Bellaire United Methodist Church.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

Dogs and their owners wait for services to begin during the annual... Photo-4368382.58965 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Chirstopher Butler and Sarah Ibison bring, their dogs, from left, Raven, Khaos and Godiva to the annual Blessing of the Animals at Bellaire United Methodist Church.

Chirstopher Butler and Sarah Ibison bring, their dogs, from left, Raven, Khaos and Godiva to the annual Blessing of the Animals at Bellaire United Methodist Church.

Aletta Husmann, 12, brings her chickens Ebony and Ivory to the annual Blessing of the Animals at Bellaire United Methodist Church. The chickens are two of the 30 Hussman is raising as one of her 4H projects at Johnston Middle School. less

Aletta Husmann, 12, brings her chickens Ebony and Ivory to the annual Blessing of the Animals at Bellaire United Methodist Church. The chickens are two of the 30 Hussman is raising as one of her 4H projects at ... more